This Monday

Jeff and Sonya: The Intimate Backyard Wedding

Jeff and Sonya’s wedding took place in the backyard of Sonya’s parents, in the house that that Sonya grew up in. The wedding ceremony itself was conducted by Sonya’s uncle, who is a minister. Both these details fit in with the fact that Jeff and Sonya want a ceremony that very much involved their family members, and that was very personal to them.

When we arrived, we entered the house and signed the guestbook, which was underneath pictures of Jeff and Sonya, both growing up separately, and their time together. Sonya’s parents house was cute, friendly and interesting. I am so ready to move into a house in that neighborhood in Sacramento! Walking through the living room and kitchen took you to the backyard, where white chairs were set up, surrounding a beautiful arch. We were asked to take a program, as well as a cup of rose petals, so we could toss them over the newly married couple (the rose petals).

Jeff and the minister stood by the arch while Sonya was walked down the aisle by her father. The ceremony was one of the most intimate that I have ever seen. Jeff and Sonya memorized their vows, and as wrote some of their own. Their whole ceremony was filled with laughter and tears. Sometimes they had to stop speaking for a bit because they were laughing to hard, or almost about to cry. Their emotions fit in perfectly with the flow of the whole event. Jeff gave Sonya his grandmothers wedding ring, who had been married for 51 years. Sonya gave Jeff a ring she had inscribed with “love and happiness” and their wedding date on the inside.

Once the ceremony ended, Jeff and Sonya did the nicest thing ever. They said, while we take pictures with our family, why don’t you start eating and drinking? So we did. Inside the house were little “stations” of appetizers. They had a friend who was helping them cater the wedding. The chef was in their kitchen, preparing the good. They also had a friend rolling sushi! In the backyard, they had someone running the bar. The appetizers were really good. Nemanja ate so much he got a little sick. When Sonya and Jeff finished taking pictures, they came back to the backyard. All the chairs were removed, and how it could be used as a place to eat and dance. Of course, Jeff and Sonya didn’t even get a chance to look at the food, they were so busy talking to everyone of their guest personally.

They danced their first dance, and spent most of it kissing. The upper level of the backyard became a dance floor, and people continued to mingle, dance and drink. The cakes were brought out for us to enjoy. Jeff baked the cheesecake, Sonya and her mom made the chocolate bundt cakes, and Jeff’s mom and her friends made the other desserts.

Jeff and Sonya’s wedding was a perfect celebration of two families coming together, and although things were kept simple, it just allowed the celebration of their love for each other to stand out.

posted by This Monday Morning @ 7:14 PM